Mendenhall: Does it make sense to sit faithfully in your pew?

An identifying mark of worship services in America is that many of the Christians participating wish they were someplace else.

Think of how many jokes and grumblings you hear about long sermons. Think how many spouses you see dragged along. Think how many kids cry at the sight of a church building. Think how many use the excuse of a good football game to avoid the task.

Plus, think about how many people shuffle in, sit quietly with no sign of happiness, then shuffle out without making eye contact with anybody.

In addition, look at the survey data over the past few years: Each new generation brings a lower percentage of attendance at traditional services.

What's interesting is that the percentage who say they are Christians is relatively stable. They just don't want to sit in pews.

The reaction to this phenomenon has shifted. It used to be fought by guilting people into attendance — maybe sending a committee or a pastor to inquire what the deal was. Then came efforts to make church more palatable. Shorter sermons. Jazzier music. PowerPoint. Drama. Coffee and doughnuts. Casual dress. Door prizes.

I made that up about the door prizes, but I'll bet it's been tried.

Still and for all that, a lot of people just don't want to sit in worship services like they used to.

OK, so maybe they're right. One of the phrases I hear prayed a lot on Sunday mornings is, "Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to live in a country where we can worship without fear of being molested."

You can tell this phrase has been around a long time, because "molest" has specific connotations these days that don't quite fit into that sentence.

Still, the basic thought is valid, that in America there just aren't many people trying to stop Christians — as in export them, kill them, throw them all in jail.

Which leads me to my point. If you are a follower of Christ who lives in a country where you have religious freedom, shouldn't you be out there in the fresh air freely doing the things on Christ's lists, such as feeding the hungry, caring for orphans, telling other people about the love of God, turning cheeks, turning strangers into neighbors?

Now, if you live in North Korea or certain other harsh nations we could name, it makes sense that the major religious event of your week would be quietly getting together with other Christians to celebrate your survival.

Given all this American freedom, though, it might make more sense to throw open the doors of the churches and send the Christian masses out onto the highways and byways.

Oh, sure, they'll want to come back in now and then to compare notes, introduce new friends and let out a few whoops, but those will be hallelujahs driven by the joy of service, not the habit of sitting.